This Philadelphia Boutique Wants to Create Space for Creatives
The promotion of artistic collaboration is at the forefront of design-centered brand YOWIE’s new crowdfunding initiative. It hopes to expand beyond its lively home and life shop to a space that hosts design, retail, community engagement events and hospitality.
Declared Philadelphia’s “coolest boutique” by Bon Appetit in 2019, the Queen Village neighborhood storefront currently offers a plethora of home goods created by independent artists and designers. And founder Shannon Maldonado is on a mission to elevate the company via its new collaborative undertaking—dubbed YOWIE 2.0.
According to Maldonado—a self-described fashion designer-turned-creative director— YOWIE 2.0 will function as an inclusive hub of “creative flex spaces” where people can shop their favorite home goods collections, have photography shoots, or even utilize the space to host gatherings.
YOWIE is currently crowdfunding via online marketplace iFundWomen in order to help bring on two full-time employees as a part of the company’s expansion plans. Pledges start at $10 and go up to $1,000, which earns you a one-night stay for two guests at YOWIE’s new space, plus a special gift pack that includes a free brunch.